Following Along With Stolen Gin
“You can't really force ideas ever. You got to just kind of let them come. But I'm grateful that we have five writers and five people who have a lot of bright ideas in the band who all contribute their creations,” said Will Adler, guitarist for Stolen Gin. Stolen Gin is a five-piece indie-dance band that got its start playing parties at NYU. Since their Spotify debut in 2019, the band has slowly gained popularity and praise for their high-energy and unique sound. The band consists of Jackson Larder on guitar and vocals, Evan Jacobson on saxophone, Will Adler on guitar, Sawyer Adler on bass, and Josh Farrell on drums. In March of 2024, I got to sit down with the band before their Sinclair debut, a show they were headlining, and discuss what impact touring has had on their sound and themselves.
“It's just so much fun,” Adler answered when asked about how headlining their touring felt, “I mean, opening is amazing. You learn so much when you're opening, cuz you get to watch these other guys. But you know, that little part of ego in you that wants everyone to already know the songs. It's really gratifying to have.”
One of the unique ways the band sets themselves apart from other bands in the industry is through their improvisational style. I remember seeing them perform at Cafe 939 in the Spring of 2023, and hearing them ad lib as Larder switched guitars after breaking a guitar string was one of my highlights of that show. How in tune they are with their sound and with each other makes for a great listening experience, both live and during streaming.
“What we do a lot is listen back to our sets, and try and figure out what were the better decisions, what were the worst decisions, because I guess without any risk, there's no reward. So it's having to stay open to just trying new things all the time. But also being critical of when things could have been done better.”
In the year 2025, the band has continued making strides in the music industry, including playing Gov Ball and releasing a new song titled “Spoil My Night” this past July.
Like many of their songs in their discography, the song has an enticing bass line, and it’s very clear they know their sound is made to entice listeners to want to dance. The song is up-tempo and has a killer guitar solo around the three-minute mark, but also talks about rising above negativity, keeping calm in the face of backlash, because truthfully, “Why you gotta spoil my night.”
Continuing this momentum, Stolen Gin also released another single in August titled “Roses.” In contrast to “Spoil My Night,” this song features a lot more saxophone, including a solo near the end, creating a chill, jazzy atmosphere. The song talks of still reminiscing about a past relationship, and the music caresses the lyrics in a way that paints a whole picture for the listener.
With two new song releases and an upcoming tour, fans speculate on whether a new album or EP is perhaps in the works.
Stolen Gin is set to return to Boston on December 13th, and if you’re looking for a feel-good and dance-friendly environment, make sure to snag your tickets now. And check out “Spoil My Night,” “Roses,” and the rest of their discography on all streaming platforms!